Well, whuptyF*inDoo.
I’ve got two Linux systems operating on dual boot PC’s. Hardly ever use ‘cause it is so damn difficult to add proggies and update.
Linux coders are like customer service in any IT shop — “You will take what I give you and like it.” No empathy.
Not sure which variant you're using but that's not the experience of most Linux users out there - it's insanely easy to update or add programs - if (for Debian/Ubuntu) "sudo apt-get install X" is too challenging, there's also a GUI where you can search for an application and install it. For things that are not free (like VMWare) they provide installation archives that you can download and install from the command-line or GUI and then you can register/enter a license key once it loads.
As for customization, there are tons of options - most involve editing configuration files, pretty simple - so again, I don't see it as "take what I give you" from the developers who create and maintain these apps.